Hafeez Recalled For Tests Against Sri Lanka

Pakistan have made three changes to their Test squad for the forthcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka in the UAE.

Mohammad Hafeez has been recalled after being dropped for the two-match series against South Africa in October after impressing recently during the ODI-leg of the series against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Umar Gul returns from his long injury lay-off, having not played a Test since February, after proving his fitness during the ODI series, and Mohammad Talha returns to the squad as a replacement for the injured Mohammad Irfan.

25 year-old fast-bowler Talha has played one Test, in 2009, and returns to the national fold shortly after taking 11 wickets in a match for his departmental side Port Qasim Authority in Pakistan’s four-day domestic competition.

Those losing out from the series against South Africa are Zulfiqar Babar after two spinners - Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal - were all that were deemed necessary alongside Hafeez’s off-spin, while Umar Amin misses out to Hafeez after not making the playing eleven for either match during the series against the Proteas.

Irfan will accompany the squad in the UAE according to the PCB as he continues his recovery from a hairline fracture to his hip bone.